The dubious January 6 Committee report suggesting former President Donald Trump was engaging in insurrection was used by the Colorado Supreme Court in a questionable ruling. This comes after Trump’s Senate acquittal on rebellion charges, according to Breitbart News.
Four Democratic governor-appointed judges made the verdict, which has been criticized for ignoring Trump’s acquittal and lack of criminal conviction or rebellion accusation. Here are the judges:
1. Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.-appointed Judge Monica M. Márquez (D): The first openly gay judge on the Colorado Supreme Court, Márquez is a member of the Bench Dream Team, which promotes legal diversity. Her legal experience covers employment and general commercial lawsuits.
2. Former Governor John Hickenlooper (D) appointed Judge Melissa Hart: Hart, from Denver, has a family and a distinguished academic career, including Harvard Law Review and Harvard Women’s Law Journal editorial duties. Her career includes clerking for Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and working as a DOJ trial attorney. Her 2020 judicial performance evaluation lauded her fairness and impartiality.
3. John Hickenlooper (D)-appointed Judge William W. Hood, III: Hood, a Yale graduate with a law degree from Penn, was a prosecutor for a decade and a litigation law partner. His 2016 performance evaluation praised his politeness and equality.
4. Another Hickenlooper (D) appointee, Judge Richard L. Gabriel: Brooklyn-born Gabriel and his wife have two adult children. Gabriel, known for his preparedness and civility, was accused of harassment by a female law clerk in 2021, the Denver Post said.
Trump’s ballot eligibility in Maine will be evaluated by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows in a special hearing, not a court. In contrast, Colorado’s top court addressed the matter. Bellows should decide this week.